Shy Bear Brewing is located in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, nestled comfortably between Harrisburg and State College. With a sleek taproom and sunny outdoor space, Shy Bear serves both traditional and progressive beers alongside a thoughtful food menu. Attention to quality is apparent in its offerings, all of which are produced in a relatively small brewery and kitchen. We chatted with owner Jason Ufema, curator of grand ideas, about the setup.
First: the beer! Shy Bear brews on a 10-barrel brew house, with six 10-barrel fermenters and four 10-barrel brite tanks. You can currently snag crowlers and growler fills to-go, but keep an eye on the website, as Shy Bear plans to offer 16-ounce cans in the future. The brewery boasts a dozen taps, with a great variety of classic styles plus more experimental ales.
“Our standby offerings on tap include New England-style Jaybird IPA, Redd Up Belgian-style amber, Logan Guard Pilsner, Bruin Brown Ale and always a porter or stout of some kind,” Jason said. By keeping things seasonal, Shy Bear has the opportunity to think about how both the drink and food menu impact the whole experience.
Bonus: Shy Bear also offers a dozen cocktails made with Pennsylvania spirits, several Pennsylvania wines, a homemade root beer and nitro cold-brewed coffee from Jason’s own Rich Coast Coffee.
The food is also exceptional, with four smokers laying the foundation for much of the menu. Smoked meats are served on sandwiches and tacos to delight the barbecue crowd, while odd takes — like the Aloha Tower, ahi tuna topped with seaweed and Hawaiian salsa — will please more progressive palates. Jason explained, “Most items have universal appeal because the foundation is the brews. Where we shine is in twisting some of the ingredients to push the envelope a bit — not to mention the emphasis we put on presentation.”
Shy Bear Brewing has also made strides to be environmentally friendly. It installed 315 solar panels about 6 years ago and plans to install more. Jason said, “All of our trub, spent hops and yeast is used for our own compost. The cattle we’ve been feeding with our spent grains are actually about to become our entree specials for next month.” Keeping its carbon footprint in mind, Shy Bear is making respectable decisions toward becoming sustainable.
Another key differentiator for Shy Bear Brewing is its beautiful outdoor area. Jason noted, “We host everything under the sun, including live music at least two nights a week, karaoke, class reunions, yoga sessions, corn hole tournaments and glass-blowing demonstrations. We’re open to anything that focuses on someone’s craft or that infuses some additional culture to our local scene.”
Enthusiasts can become insiders thanks to the Bear Club, including the exclusive ability to make reservations at the Brewer’s Table from November to April; from May to October, club members may reserve any table outside. Just as cool: Club members get first dibs on ticketed events, food and drink discounts, free food on their birthday, an invitation to the Bear Club annual picnic and an official imperial pint glass and a shirt.
Shy Bear Brewing offers quality beer and a plethora of delicious food options for both meat lovers and vegetarians. By focusing on the whole experience and including plenty of outdoor events, this brewery has crafted a space that is fun to be in, especially while imbibing on their creations.
The Brewers of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit trade association that brings together leaders of Pennsylvania-based breweries in order to promote and protect the brewing industry in the state. Established in 2011, the Brewers of Pennsylvania serves the consuming public of Pennsylvania by encouraging brand diversity in the market. We believe in the nobility of brewing and hold dear the great traditions and history of Pennsylvania brewing.
Featured photo: Roland Hess; all other photos, top to bottom: Matt Fern of State College Magazine; Shy Bear Brewing Company (next two photos); Daniel Pike; Roland Hess
